JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It was a big morning for the family of Jared Bridegan.
On Friday, his widow Kirsten along with their youngest daughter, London, delivered the 50th Bexley Box to the Homeland Security Investigations office in Jacksonville.
Jared Bridegan was murdered in Jacksonville Beach in 2022 in front of his and Kirsten's oldest child, Bexley. Bexley spent hours at the Jacksonville Beach police department and officers had few items to comfort her. So in Jared and Bexley's honor, Kirsten Bridegan began the Bridegan Foundation which makes Bexley Boxes for law enforcement offices. In the boxes are comfort items like toys, diapers, formula and snacks to help children in traumatic situations.
There are now 50 Bexley Boxes in law enforcement offices in seven states.
"I never imagined it getting this big when I first came up with the idea and the fact that we have been able to place it in 50 locations, it is incredible. It is a good feeling we are making a difference, one box at a time," tells Kirsten Bridegan.
She adds that Bexley and London are great helpers and she is thankful for the donations from the public and the law enforcement offices that have accepted the boxes.
Special Agent Ben Lueke at the Homeland Security Investigations office says having comfort items for children will make a big difference. Prior to this, they didn't have much for young victims and he says they often scrambled to find candy or a toy to help put them at ease.
"It can be a traumatic and scary experience for any victim when they come in, let alone children. So the Bexley Box and the honor we get receiving that will help numerous victims just be comfortable in the situation they are in," tells Ben Lueke, Special Agent with HSI Jacksonville
To donate items or learn more about Bexley Boxes, press here.